Elastic wheel.



:L. L. B. onus.-

ELASTIC WHEEL,

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 4, 19M;

Patented Oct; 17, 1916.

' a SHEETS-SHEET 1.-

V m5 M 5. m E. 1 C H U LL. B. DENIS.

ELASTIC WHEEL.

APPLCATION FILED MAR. 4. 1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2- Fig.4.

INV NTOR L00 [Ea/v 5/13/45 'flszv/s v L. B. DENIS.

ELASTIC WHEEL. APPLICATION man MAR.4.19M.

Patented Oct 17,1916;

3 $HEET$SHEET 3 INVENTUR luclo/vfiflrugfls 3' BY W ATTORNEYS Fig.12.

* EDI STATES PATENT oar LU C LEON BASILE DENIS, OF PARIS, FRANCE.

ELASTIC WHEEL.

To-all whom it may concern Be it known that I, LUc Lr'ion BASILE DENIS, a citizen of the Republic of France, residing at 116-118 Boulevard de Mmlmontant, in the city of Paris, in the Republie of France, have invented a new and use ful Improved Elastic l/Vheel, of which the following is a Specification.

This invention has for its object an improved elastic wheel, wherein the connection of thefelly to the hub is effected by means of balls interposed between cups or cells provided in the felly and similar cups carried by the hub, these cups being movable laterally and being pressed on to the balls by springs in such a manner that all relative I movement of the felly in its own plane,

tending to render it eccentric relatively to the hub, leads to a separationof the cups Serial No. 413,179, filed January 29th, 1908,

(Patent No. 1,107,916, issued August 18, 1914) I disclose certain modifications of the invention herein claimed.

In the accompanying drawings :-Figure 1 shows in elevation one method of constructing the improved wheel. transverse section on the line A, A, Fig. 1. Fig, 3 is a detail view showing in elevation the mounting of one elastic element on the wheel. Fig. 4 shows in section the elastic system mountedon the wheel, the felly being in section on the line, B, B, Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a horizontal section on the line C, C, Fig. 3. Figs. 6 to 9 are detail views showing one form of construction of one of the elements of the elastic system. "Fig. 6 shows this element in elevation. view. Fig. 8 in plan, and Fig. 9 in section on the line D, D, Fig. 6. Figs. 10 and 11 are analogous views to those shown in Figs. 4 and 5 and relate to a. modification. Fig. 12 shows a modified form'of construction of the elastic elements. Fig. 13 is a vertical section on the line E,'E, Fig. 12. Fig. 14

Specification of Letters Patent.

Fig. 2 is a Fig. 7 in end- Patented Oct. 17, 1916.

Application filed March 4, 1914. Serial No. 822,290.

shows another method of mounting the elements on the hub. Fig. 15 is a partial section on the line F, F, Fig. l4.v Fig. 16 shows v a modified form of the method of mounting shown in Fig. 14. f

In the improved wheel, the elastic connection between the hub 11. and the felly b is made by means of elastic elements forming at the same time the springs, the spokes of the wheel, and the laterally movable cups. Each of these elastic elements is formed by a U-shaped piece of metal having two. arms 0, 0 connected by a transverse piece 0", and having two cups 0, c at its two angles.

This element may be made by stamping,

embossing, bending, etc.

The free ends of the two arms 0, c are fixed, as will be hereinafter described, on to the two opposite faces respectively of the hub 44.,- moreover these arms 0, c and the transverse piece 0 are inclined and bent in such a manner that the cups 0*, c corre- S)OI1(liIl to the arms 0 c are 'relativel t0 the free ends of the latter, in front of the opposite faces of the felly, that is to say, if the free end of the arm c, is fixed, as in Fig. 4 of the drawing, on the right-hand face of the hub a, the cup 0 is in front of the left-hand face of the folly b, the cup 0 opposite the right-hand face of the latter, and the free end of the arm 0 in front of the left-hand face of the hub.

The felly b is provided on its two faces with cups or cells (l, d (Fig. 2) arranged opposite cups or cells 0 0, formed on each of the elastic elements.

Every movement tending to render the verse piece a remaining fixed. This twist- 'ing or warping of the elastic element 0', c

0 causes: 1. A fiexure of the arms 0', 0 which are mounted on the hub (11, as will be seen later on, by means of a fixing device forming a boxing. 2. A twisting or warp-' ing of these arms 0, 0 as well as of the transverse piece 0 this torsion or warping being produced by the general twisting of lit iii)

the element 0, c This element 0, 0 0 thus forms a spring of high elastic elliciency, since the material is entirely utilized as a spring and all its, parts work in torsion. (lltwill be hnderstood that it is torsional springs which give the most elastic worlr. tor the minimum weight of material.)

' i'Ehe number of elastic elements will necessarily be variable according to the dimensions of the wheel and the forces which the latter is to support. I

For the purpose of obtaining; practical values of the forces and ofthe necessary strains or bending, the following arrange ments have been adopted for the mounting of the improved elastic element above defined. l. lln order that the arms a, a may have suliicient flexibility notwithstanding the thickness which they should have in order to resist the forces due to the load and in order to permit the formation of the cells, it is necessary to give them a somewhat great length; for this purpose, these arms instead of being radial are fixed'to the hub not at points of division situated on the same radii as the points at which their outer ends engage with the telly, but at adjacent points of division respectively,that is to say, at points of division in tront and behind the said points on the folly, as will be seen in Figsl and 3. 2. The arrangement of the elastic element, whereby the ends of each of the arms 0, 0 place themselves opposite diflerent faces of the wheel insures the transverse stability of the latter, in such a manner that the bending, under a lateral force, may be as little as possible notwithstanding the individual displacement of each of the cups or cells.

Vi hen a transverse force, that is to say a force perpendicular to the median plane of the Wheel, is exerted on the latter, the ends 1, 2 of the arms a, 0 adjacent to the cups 0*, 0 should move together by approximately equal amounts and in the same direction.

On the other hand, in the normal movement, under a vertical force and by the play of the balls, these same ends of the arms 0, 0 move equal amounts, but in opposite directions. It is in order to oppose the first 'movement, which is simultaneous and in the same direction, of the ends 1, 2 of the arms 0, 0 while permitting the second movement, which is simultaneous and in the opposite direction of the arms, that the ends 3, l, of these arms are in dift'erent planes;-

under these conditions this movement, which is simultaneous and in the same direction, of the ends 1, 2- is only possible it the elastic element is deformed as it stands, that is to say, with Variation of the angles 3, l, 2 and 4, 2, l at the same time causing the arms.

0, 0 to turn about their points of attachment to the hub a. For the purpose of preventing this rotation, the improved arrangement comprises a securing device or anchor The elastic el The cross piece 0 is not subjected at this 0, c is, provided names? age which will be hereinafter described. the other hand the ,multaneo'us moi smel in the opposite direction of the ends 1, 2 oi? the arms 0, 0 should always be possible by flexu're on the lat alone, l result is cl. tained by arranur tively in two dilii'cr 5, 8 and 9, 1' a point 0" arran 'cd the inddle o2" verse piece (1. rccver, as shown y and 9, the tran i's sections of the 0", 0 stand oliliiguely relatively rection o1 the lateral forces I wheel, and thus oppose to a cer tain degree the fiexure of these arms.

.cments, instead.- of being, formed by a'single piece of metal, can also be each formed of two synunetrical pieces, connected the level of the middle part c" of the transverse piece 0 by the aid of a bolt 0 as shown in Fl 12. Each of tht halt elements thus has at c iii-the directio ofits width an expansion c having a hole for the passage oi? the assembling; bolt.

It is possible thus to be able to the piece 0 of each element in its median part, without changing fundan'iental properties, for the middle point of the element is, by reason of symmetry, a point of inflexion,

point to any bending force, but only to slid ing fo1ices or disconnecting forces and to torsion couple, to which there is opposed in a sulliciently efficacious manner the single tightening bolt 0 'llhis the elastic elements ttacili es. their manufacture as well as their mounting on the wheel, each halt element being easily removed and replaced, even vr n the wheel .is fitted to a vehicle without it being neces 1oz;

sary to touch the other pieces, On the other hand, it is po is by sui bly twisting the bars forming the transvc a piece to give them, by reason of ti vightening effected by the bolt 0 a supplementary tension which enables the tensions to which the arms 0 and c are sub-is l. to be diminished toward their point or attachment to the hub a. Fig. 13 shows this twisting or warping of the bars and how the ends olthe two half elements appear before the complete tightening of the connect ng bolt 07.

The securing or horage of each of the cner:-Each of the arms 12 its free end with aflat bearing surface 6 arranged in a plane parallel to the median plane of the wheel. This fiat bearing surface is of triangular form and is extended by a piece f which is slightly bent and, for reasons of symmetry, has the same inclination relatively to the plane of this bearing surface, as the plane of the arm 0 or 0 The hub a of the wheel is shaped, as shown in the following i arrangement of 10a a flat art a" and inclined surfaces a on which are fitted the'ends of the arms c of each elastic element. A cover-plate g, suitablybent, covers the ends of the arms 0, of of the several elastic elements on each face hf the hub and holds them on to'the hub. Bolts h secure these cover-plates to- 'gether with the elastic elements on the hub.

By this arrangement, each elastic element is fixed on the hub by a kind of easing, which resists every movement of rotation of this element. It is obvious that this fixing device can be replaced by any other suitable arrangement, capable of securing the ends .of the armscQ-c of the various elastic ele- .ments on to the-hub. "For example this fixing'device can be combinedin the manner shown in Figs. 11 to 16. In this arrangement, the flat bearing piece e extends over thewhole surface of the end of each arm of pensed with, but the inner border of the bearing piece isbent at right angles, in such -a' manner as to form a flange or tongue e. This tongue is then shaped by tooling in such a manner as to'have a contact surface in the form of an nverted V or a double bevel and is designed to engage in a groove 7c of correspondlng form on one of the faces of the hub a. hese tongues 6' can be straight, as shown in Fig. 14, in which case the grooves is form a regular polygon on the two faces of the hub. These tongues can also be 'c'urved and they then fit into a circul'ar'gro ove on each side of the hub, as shown in Fig. 16. This method of fixing enables the cover-plates g to be dispens'ed with, the tongues forming a rein ,forcement enabling the bolts h to be firmly Figs. 10 and 11 show in vertical section and in horizontal section a modification of my improved wheel, wherein the cells at, d

' are carried bythe felly I). These cells, in-

stead of having two faces and being arranged on a central web of the felly, arearranged on the two sides of the felly and have a simple concavity turned toward the interior. The elastic system is then includ ed between these two rows of cells placed face to face. This modification is applicableto the methods of construction and fixwing of the elasticelements described above.

1 Ithas been specified above that the cells '0", 0 are formed in themetal by stamping, embossing, etc., but these cells can also be assembled and fixed by any suitable means,

even by sciewing,'by reason of the thickness of the metal, in a manner analogous to that shown for the cells on the felly,

What I claim is g 1. In a spring wheel, a series of elements each in the form of a U presenting two parallel branches and a Connecting portion at one of the extremities'of said .branches, each branch having a plain surface at the free extremity thereof engaging with the hub, and means for binding the elements to the felly of the wheel and permitting relative, radial and circumferential movement. 7

' 2. In a spring wheel, a series of elements eachin the 'form of a U presenting two branches, and a connecting portion at one of the extremities of saidbranches, each branch having a plain surface at the free extremity thereof for engagement with the hub of the wheel, a bolt uniting the plain surface of each branch of the hub, and a coacting key and groove connection for preventing turning of said surfaceabout said .bolt. the element. The oblique part f is dis- 3. In a springwheel, a series of elements each in the form of a U-ipresenting tWo branches extending from the. rim to the hub and'a connecting portion at the rim ends'each branchat its opposite end having a surface engaging with the hub of the wheel, a bolt unitlng each surface to the hub, a flange at the extremity of each sur-- face, a groove arranged in the hub to receive these flanges, and ball connections between said elements and the felly at each angle of the elements;

4. In a spring wheel, a series'of elements extending from the-rim to the hub, each element having one plain surface at one ex tremity engaging with the hub of the wheel,

a bolt uniting the plain surface of each element to the hub, a flange at an angle to the plain surface, a groove in the hub to receive these flanges, a cup at the outer end of the elements, a second cup on therim opposite the first mentioned and balls placed between the cups. v

5. In a spring wheel, a series of elements in the form of a Upresent ing two parallel branches, and a connecting portion uniting the latter, means for connecting the extremi-' ties of the branches to opposite sides of the hub and rolling contact members between each element at its angles and the rim.

6. In a spring wheel, a series ofmlements each in the form of a U presenting two parallel branches and a connecting portion, means for connecting the free extremities of the branches to opposite sides of .the hub,

and means for connecting the separate angles of each 'element'to opposite sides of the rim.

'2. Ina spring wheel, a series of elements each in the form of a U presenting two branches and a transverse portion for the outer extremities of the branches, surfaces at the free extremity of each branch for engagement with'the hub at spaced; points, a ball at each angle of each element and disother a hub, means for securing the We "a posed between the element and the rinn the tWo balls for each element being on. opposite sld'es of the rim and at spaced 90111 118.

8.! In a spring Wheel, a series cf": elemients tremities of each element to one i axially and circnmferentially spaced 3,

and means for connecting the allgl Y element to the other member at circumferentially spaced points,

9r. A spring Wheel including a sor tion, a hub portion, a series OfQlGIHGHiJS each in the form of a U and each. having two branches extending from said rini portion to said hub foortion and a connecting branch extending along said-1' nor-tioin two cups secured to said connec -t anclnonont each end and the trio facing in opposit directions, opposed cups carried by s: tion and a ball disposed betr cups of each opposed pair" 10. A spring heel inclridinga rim por tion, a hub portion, a series of elements each in the form of a U and each having two branch es extending from said rim portion to said hub portion, a connecting T: i h extend ing along said rim portion and means in cerposed between said connecting branch and said rim portion for-permitting limited relative, radial and circumferential HLOJQIXlGZlt the means at one end of said connecting the tam l1 1 an elssticwrheel, a hub, resilient spokes secin' l o" e hub, a rim movable he spokes and means to give 'sion tlrie spokes by relative movement he rim, 12. In astic wheel a hiib a plurality re ilient spokes secured to the rim capableof movement relatively spokes, and interposed elements bethe spokes and rim to place the spokes ension by a relative movement of the i3. .ln elastic Wheel,,, a hub, a rim, a plurality of ,seloarate resilient spokes secured to the nub and formed with cups disposed at opposite sides of the rim, and balls in said s.v

itlu l n elastic Wheel, a hub, a rim intermediate resilient elements secured to the hub, said elements presenting spoke arms in pairs, the outer ends 01'' which arms are disposed at opposite sides of the rim, and means between the rim'and the inner faces of the arms to place said arms under tension by a elative movement of the rim.

Lisonsnsnin DENIS.

upon one side thereof and the i 

